Christian Brueckner pleads 'stop this witch-hunt against me' as prosecutor claims he has evidence of Madeleine McCann kidnapping

WATCH: Man who claims to have known Christian Brueckner says police are looking in the wrong place

|

GB NEWS

George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 29/09/2025

- 22:04

The German has strongly denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance

The primary suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance has demanded an end to what he describes as a "witch-hunt" following his prison release a fortnight ago.

Christian Brueckner, 49, attempted to meet prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters at his Braunschweig office after travelling over 100 miles from his undisclosed location.


The German national sought to challenge Wolters, who has publicly declared he possesses evidence proving Brueckner murdered the three-year-old British child who disappeared from a Portuguese resort in 2007.

The prosecutor declined the meeting, though Brueckner conveyed his message through a representative.

"I want them to stop this witch-hunt against me and give me back my life," Brueckner told Sky News during his first public statement since leaving prison.

Despite his freedom from a seven-year rape sentence, Brueckner remains under strict supervision with electronic monitoring attached to his right ankle.

He must surrender his passport and report regularly to probation authorities.

"I'm not feeling free. I have this ankle tag and I'm followed around by police 24/7, so I'm not feeling free," he stated during the interview.

Madeleine McCann and \u200bChristian Brueckner (composite)

Christian Brueckner is the key suspect in the Madeleine McCann case

|
PA/Getty

The convicted paedophile has been residing in local authority accommodation in Neumunster, north of Hamburg, since his release on September 17.

His lawyer Friedrich Fulscher drove him from prison to the new location.

Media exposure of his address sparked community outrage, with residents expressing concerns about his previous convictions for child sex offences.

Local authorities have since relocated him to an undisclosed hotel following public protests.

Mr Wolters maintains he has evidence demonstrating Brueckner kidnapped and murdered Madeleine, though he acknowledges insufficient proof exists for arrest or charges.

The prosecutor has not disclosed the nature of this evidence publicly.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Christian B is suspected of abducting the missing British toddler Madeleine McCann\u200b

Brueckner is the prime suspect in abducting the missing British toddler

|

GETTY

When questioned directly about whether he abducted and killed the British toddler, Brueckner declined to respond.

"My defence lawyers have told me to say nothing on this topic and unfortunately I have to abide by that," he said.

The suspect expressed frustration at being the sole focus of the investigation despite never facing arrest, questioning or charges from German authorities.

He has also refused cooperation with British and Portuguese investigators.

"I'm being hounded by the media and it's his fault. I want him to take responsibility," Brueckner said regarding Mr Wolters.

\u200bChristian Wolters claims to have key evidence

Christian Wolters claims to have key evidence

|

GETTY

Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley confirmed Brueckner remains under investigation, with British detectives planning to meet German counterparts leading the case.

The Met continues treating Madeleine's disappearance as a missing person inquiry whilst "taking stock" of German and Portuguese investigations.

"He remains a suspect for us. We are taking stock of where we are, and the German investigation and the Portuguese investigation," Sir Mark told journalists.

Previous investigative efforts included 2023 searches near Barragem do Arade reservoir, approximately 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where Brueckner had spent time between 2000 and 2017.

Authorities discovered he possessed photographs and videos of himself at the location.

Last October, a German court acquitted Brueckner of separate sexual offences allegedly committed in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.

He continues to deny any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.

More From GB News